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Amebiasis, Pediatric

John Bower, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Amebic intestinal infection is generally noninvasive and most often due to infection with Entamoeba histolytica. Extraintestinal spread can occur and usually involves the liver. 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Intestinal disease may be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, flatulence, constipation, and occasionally diarrhea.

  • Nondysenteric colitis is characterized b...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • The goal of treatment is the elimination of tissue-invading trophozoites and intestinal cysts.

  • The choice of treatment regimens depends on the clinical presentation.

  • Agents tha...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Follow-up stool examination is always necessary to ensure eradication of intestinal amebae.

  • For amebic abscesses, drainage should be considered i...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Haque R, Huston CD, Hughes M, et al. Amebiasis. N Engl J Med.  2003;348(16):1565–1573. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Magaña ML, Fernández-Díez J, Magaña M. Cutaneous amebiasis...

CODES

ICD9

  • 006.9 Amebiasis, unspecified

  • 006.0 Acute amebic dysentery without mention of abscess

  • 006.3 Amebic liver abscess

  • 006.2 Amebic nondysenteric colitis

  • 006.4 Amebic lung abscess

  • 006.8 Amebic infection...

FAQ

  • Q: How often does a liver abscess complicate intestinal amebiasis?

  • A: About 10% of children with intestinal amebiasis will develop a liver abscess.

  • Q: What is the best diagnostic study for a suspect...

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